Masks Mandatory for Customers

Throughout not only Columbia County, but also the entire state of Washington, a new mandate has been issued by Governor Inslee requiring one to wear a mask in order to be serviced in a business. This comes into effect today, the 7th of July in 2020, and will continue for an unknown amount of time. So next time one plans to enter a business, they should be sure to not only be wearing a shirt and shoes, but also a mask – and please, socks are nice as well.


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WWSBEG Offering Relief to Local Businesses

The WWSBEG (Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant) is currently being disbursed to businesses, bringing them in total $151,138 worth of aid. These funds should hopefully help keep the businesses afloat and running. But that is not to say that the businesses would no longer appreciate the residents of our town to shop local! If we come together as a community and a state to support our local businesses, their chances of success rise through even a trying time such as this. As such, this grant money dispersal is but one of the many steps we as a community are ready to take part in for those in our area.

Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant Recipients Announced

After 7 weeks of waiting, the Department of Commerce finally announced the recipients of the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program for Columbia County. Columbia County had 31 businesses apply, and 25 were awarded funds by the Governor’s office and the Department of Commerce. State lottery proceeds from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund were used for the program. No Port of Columbia funds were used, and the Port declined using any of the funds for administration so that all monies would be available to businesses. We are working on the creation of a second, local grant fund in order to provide more assistance to those businesses still hurting from the COVID shutdown.

Casting caution: Rural business owners ask boaters and fishers to respect guidelines

While local business owners are ready to get open again, social distancing and other rules created during the COVID19 pandemic need to be following in order for those businesses to stay open.  Recreating in Columbia County is popular, and for decades we have welcomed people from across the state into our community. Times are different this spring, and our recreation business owners are asking visitors to respect the guidelines set forth so their ability to stay open is not jeopardized. More info here.

Local Businesses Need Your Support

With the recently extended Stay-at-home order the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and Port of Columbia have revamped, added and edited the list of businesses that would love your support during this difficult time. Buy a gift certificate in preparation for that much needed massage, haircut, or shopping spree once we are through this! Order food and pick it up to eat at home! Stay safe, keep your distance, but lets all work together to keep the community going!  Please, check out the link here.

Small Business Financial Impact Survey

SURVEY REQUEST: As part of our response to the current economic situation, the Port of Columbia and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce are surveying business owners to gauge impacts and to estimate future responses in potential aid to local businesses. The information you share will be kept confidential. Aggregate information may be shared for government purposes, but business names will be withheld.
You can access the survey by clicking here. Completed surveys can be emailed to jdelannoy@portofcolumbia.org or chamber@historicdayton.com or dropped by the Port or Chamber offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Devoted to Dayton

We encourage everyone to help support all the small businesses as much as they can! Check out the list of businesses and what they have available while we all work through COVID-19. We will be updating the list as we continue on, so check back! Wash your hands and stay healthy!

 

Restaurant/Store Questionnaire

The Port and the Chamber are working together to come up with a list of restaurant take-out, delivery, and gift card options in order to create a comprehensive list to use in a marketing campaign. Even though this is geared towards restaurants, please fill it out anyway if your business has an idea your business would like to share with the community. Click Here for a printable version of the questionnaire.